Here and There

Slipping ashore

5.000th Land-on

What the Radar saw

Is this the right way?

Not the Tweedy mixer!

A vast there fellow!! Where are youtaking your precious cargo of oil.

Joanna V ...

I,

BEIRA PATROL

71 DAYS

1,070

SORTIES

600,000 MILES FLOWN

200,000 SQUARE MILES SURVEYED

EACH DAY

1,000 TONS OF STORES IN

1 2 DRY RAS

30,000 TONS OF FFO IN

17 LIQUID RAS

30,000 MILES STEAMED

. . cocked a snook

Esso Spain - in pain

Burned her fingers

Manuella

800 SQUADRON

L IKE the grey geese we flew out of our northern lair to join EAGLE at the beginning of December 1964. With hardly timeto gather breath the ship shot off en-route for Aden and the first work-up, picking up one straggler at Malta on the way.

During this passage every engine had to be lifted and inspected and this paved the way for many future problems.

Thirteen days after embarkation we were flying off Aden, an area we were to get to know very well. This time theflying was limited by maintenance problems but we got used to working on and off a flight deck. We also had a good look atthe ground terrain so different from the lochs and mountains of Scotland.

Six days of this and the ship was off to Mombasa and the first run ashore. A very good run it proved to be andthe friendly relations established were to stand the Squadron in good stead during the subsequent visits. A particularly enjoyablerun was the barbecue at Whitesands.

After eleven days of hard playing (instead of the threatened four) it was non-stop to Singapore. While the shipmaintained itself there were two weeks at R.A.F. Changi for us with armament practices at China Rock and IFR practiceswith the Scimitars. One Scimitar took offence at the process and the drogue and hose detached itself from the pod anddealt the Buccaneer a vicious blow across the air brake but fortunately they made it up in good time.

Off at the end of January for the second work up and a chance to prove a Dan Buoy is not a good radar target.However it gave the Fish-heads lots of practice in searching for and picking up small objects from the sea. By the end of thisperiod the three new pilots were used to the deck and all were beginning to feel pretty worked up as the ship sailed for Subic Bay.

This provided an interesting and unusual four days 'rest' in this American `home from home'. Back at sea, good usewas made of the American Air to Ground range. One aircraft however showed a marked reluctance to leave the ground andit was four days before the crew could be convinced that the plane was serviceable and they just had to return on board. Alsoashore acting as liaison officer was an 800 pilot who had repeatedly injured his back demonstrating a 'blow off launch' fromthe top diving board at Changi. After a week's flying we decided we were fully worked up and could celebrate with 18 daysin Hong Kong. Celebrate we did and only a pleasantly hazy memory of Squadron parties and occasional sporting `triumphs'

After an initial spell of private flyingto get our hands in again we were ready forFotex 65. We dropped bombs on VICTO-RIOUS while the Vixens Tried to stop 801'sBuccaneers doing the same to EAGLE. Thiswas great fun except that 801 cheated and flewat night. After a brief banyan at PaulauLangkawi with our oppos from the other Paulauships, battle recommenced and we were ableto show the effectiveness of our low leveltechnique during strikes on Butterworth. Toshow our versatility we operated the finalphase, a supported attack on Langkawi fromVICTORIOUS. Before returning to Singaporethere was the Showpiece exhibition to V.I.P.'swhen we photographed them on top of Flycoand amused them dropping numbers of 1,000lb bombs.

Back at Changi there was moreweapon and navigation practice including lowlevel navigation over the jungle.

Back: EM MORRISON, NAM KNOX, EM BARKER, NAM SCOVELL, NAM RUTTER, NAM SHERRIFF, NAM DAVIES, EM MITCHELL, NAM BENCE,L/STD SiMCOCK, STD MILLER, STD MULLEN, STD BUGEJA. NAM SAUNDERS, REM PAWSEY, NAM TESTER, REM SEAL, LM4 BROWNLOW.LAM BICK, LEM DAVIES, LA BUNN, NAM COVENTRY, NAM JACKSON, NAM MEDDINGS, NAM PUGH, REM BELL, NAM VANSTONE, NASTEVENS, REM HOWARD, NA ADCOCK, LEM DUNCAN, EM PROFFITT; 6th: NAM STEPHENSON, NAM BROWN, LAM GLENNON, REMAVERY, REM DAVISON, LREM GIBBS, LEM ELLISON, STD DAY, NAM REYNOLDS, NA MASON, EM COPELAND, NAM CANNON, REM CLARK,EM CRAIGON, NAM THOMPSON, NAM GOWAN, LAM FROOM, NAM NAYLOR, NAM BULLEN, LAM KANE, NA FOULGER, LAM PALMER, NAMSIDEBOTTOM, LAM PARKER, NAM HARRISON, STD WHITE, NAM WHITEBREAD, REM LA DELL, LA CHALLIS, LAM O'BRiEN, EM KEAY, NABEARD; 5th: LSA(S) DEANS, NAM SHARPE, LAM HIRST, LAM PATRICK, EM WARDROPE, REM MITCHELL, LAM RYAN, LAM NAISMITH,LAM WADKINS, LAM FREEMAN, LAM ALDRIDGE, EM ELLIS, NAM McCLINTOCK, LAM HAYDEN, EM HAWKINS, NAM BRUCE, LEM MAR-SHALL, LAM McWILLIAM, NA PHILLIPS, NA ROPER, NA STONES, LA CRUMP, NAM CORNAH, NAM WILSON, NAM MILLS, LREM SHEPHERD,REM CORDERY, LAM GILLIOTT, NAM GORDON, LREM NICHOLSON; 4th: NAM EDWARDS, CK(S) LEONARD CK(S) KINLEYSIDE, CK(S) WILDER,LAM PURCELL, EM METCALFE, LAPM McNEILL, NA BRACKENBURY, NAM BROWN, NAM BATE, NAM JAMES, LAM CANE, LAM McDONALD, NAMJOHNSTON, L/WTR PENNELL, STD NELSON, STD CAMPBELL, STD THOMPSON, EM THOMPSON, NAM AMSCHL, LAM JOHNSTON, LEM GREEN,LAM HOLMES, LEM COPPER; 3rd: AA1 CULLUM, CAF WRAY, RLM1 BARRATT, POEL WILLIAMS, REA1 TAYLOUR, AM2 GUNN, AM1 BRIGGS,AA1 HIGGS, AM1 CODLING, CAF JORDAN, AM2 BINGHAM, AA2 HOCKING, REA2 FRENCH, REA2 PRIVETT, REA2 LIDDLE, REAl CURRY, PORELWOELFELL, POREL WHITING, POREL WATSON, EA2 BENNETT, EA2 BALLANTYNE, POAF ELLIOTT, EA1 DEACON, RLM2 WOOLLEY, POAFPESCAGLINI, POEL FLYNN; 2nd: POREL PLUMMER, EA1 RALPH, POEL MADIGAN, AM1. CORNALL, CEL BLAKE, REA2 SARGENT, EA2 JONES,AA1 HEARL, AA1 THOMAS, CAF GRIFFITHS, CAF LAMBERT, REA2 BREESE, CREL BUTLER, POREL MEADES, REA1 PIERCE, EA1 CHADWICK,EA1 HUMPHRIES, CREL TOWLE, EA2 LASHBROOKE, POAF McALLISTER POAF SMITH, EA2 WILSON, LM1 YOUNG` AA2 PETTITT, AA1WILSON, POREL RICH, AM2 PEARSON, AND KERLEY, POAF GEE; Front: AM1 COLE, CAF WRIGHT, CREL MECH SETTERFIELD, CAM LAMBERT,S/LT RAWBONE, S/LT COX, S/LT BRITTAIN, S/LT THOMPSON, FLT/LT PITCHFORK, LT PEARCE, LT CDR WILKINSON, LT CDR HOWARD,LT CDR GILES (CO), LT CDR CUTLER, LT CDR HELLIWELL, SILT SECKER, FLT/LT SMART, LT BICKLEY, LT DALRYMPLE-SMITH, LT BROWN,S/LT MASON, S/LT MARTIN, CAA WOOD, EA1 HATCHER, CEL POWELL, AM1 GEE.

By the 21st May we were back on board for the staged return to U.K. A brief spell at Aden for more exercises anda little rabbiting and then back through the Canal. There was still time for a short lesson in the low level strike techniquefor the R.A.F. in Cyprus and a run ashore in Beirut; it is rumoured that the Casino there has asked M.O.D.(N) not to sendSteve Park there again. After this a short stay in Malta followed by the flight back to U.N. With the aid of 800B two aircraftmanaged to fly direct to Lossiemouth while the remainder stopped off at Yeovilton. It only took four more days for theground and aircrew to arrive and the first leg was over.

With the second leg in August came many new faces including ones from the U.S.N. and another from the R.A.F.Everybody quickly settled into the flying routine and were soon hard at it with an initial three days off Gibraltar followedby eleven days off Malta. This got all the old hands deck qualified and the old ones started night flying. Sicily was used forlow level attack practice and this gave one crew an opportunity to divert to Sigonella. The aircrew and groundcrew werereticent about their four day stay but it appears they were well looked after by the U.S.N.

The well earned ten days in Malta included a good run to that old favourite Jimmy Dowdells. An evening particularlyenjoyed by the Senior Pilot who won ten bottles of beer by removing an observer's shirt without displacing his jacket.

After Malta the first crisis of the leg had us rushed to Aden once more. Here an intensive eight days flying hadthe pot boiling in all our roles, including double sorties with the aid of 800B. Here too we had the misfortune to lose aBuccaneer when after a double proportioner failure, Chase and Markley, the U.S.N. crew, had to part company through thecanopy. The pilotless Buccaneer then gave people on the flight deck anxious moments as it playfully did a last run over theship before deciding to ditch.

The ten day break in Mombasa gave the Squadron time to renew old acquaintances and start new ones. In betweenmaintenance, social visits, runs to the game park and a Quadron barbecue it was farewell to Chris Mather and hail ChuckGiles the new C.O .

Back at Aden once more and the `spares' problem loomed large again. It didn't stop us dropping bombs and firingrockets by day and by night however nor flying the well worn low level routes. Nine days of this and the ship was off andby the 11th November we were once more back in Changi. Hardly had we time to smooth ourselves into the familiar comfycorners before being hauled back on board for a long mystery trip. Although most of the one third change of personnel hadbeen completed some on board had an anxious time as their reliefs scurried over the Indian Ocean in breathless search.

After three weeks with no flying it was finally decided to let the R.A.F. sort out Africa while the ship returned toits old stamping ground at Aden. Here yet again conditions were ideal for getting back into flying trim; low level navigation,and night weapon practice and the usual long range strikes. Arguments are still ranging with the Vixens as to how manystrikes got through and the ethics of flying 70 miles at 200 knots under an air route.

The eight aircraft were disposed two in the SAR role, four inthe Sonar role and two were reduced to FCR status. The fastpassage to east of Suez prevented much demonstration of flyingtalents but other abilities were deployed. The `A' team won thedeck hockey tournament while the `B' team reached the semi-final.At Aden the rotors could be tested in earnest and prowess wasproved by transporting a 105 mm howitzer trustingly loaned bythe R.A. Again at Mombasa our mettle was demonstrated by aferrying trip to Nairobi 240 miles with a climb of 7,000 feet --the first time by a helicopter.

The trip to Singapore provided an opportunity for the SARaircraft to perform its first mission of mercy. A seaman with apain in his tum was brought from the tanker `WORLD PEGASUS'to the ship. A successful operation was subsequently performedby the ship's doctors.

820 SQUADRON

1933 Squadron formed with Fairey III F's and BlackburnShark Torpedo Bombers. Served mainly in H.M.S.COURAGEOUS.

1939 Hunted GRAF SPEE from ARK ROYAL. Later tookpart in Malta and Atlantic convoys and the sinkingof the BISMARK.

1944

Attack on TIRPITZ using Barracudas.

Subsequently the Squadron flew Avengers, Fireflies,Gannets and Whirlwind helicopters.

September 1964 Squadron commissioned with WestlandWessex HAS Mk 1 helicopters at R.N.A.S. Culdrose.

SO THE present phase began with twoaircraft and no pilots though by Novem-

ber it had its full complement of 8 Wessexand pilots who had returned from `loan drafts'to 814 and 815 squadrons in the Far East.

The work-up preceded at Culdrose andPortland and on the 26th October the firstphysical contact was made with EAGLE whensix aircraft joined for a week's A/S exercises.This was a particularly fruitful period becausefirst (squadron to) come first served; the visitwas not allowed to pass unnoticed. The finalphase of the work-up, the short range trans-port role, was now completed at Culdrose.This done, the squadron was ready to `go' andafter a week's leave if flew on board EAGLEon 1st December 1964.

I'll sign the chit

Singapore brought an active spell ashore at R.N.A.S.SEMBAWANG. Apart from maintenance for both men andmachines there was a real live submarine, H.M.S. ANDREW,to give the Squadron exercise in its main role. Nearly all theaircrew were introduced to the problems of jungle survival atthe R.A.F. Survival School and a party of seven officers aftera short course at the Jungle Warfare School, braved thejungle for a night. Those remaining were forced to suffer thedepredations of `Fred' a small monkey. In addition to swipingfood from the table he proved partial to beer and rapidlydeveloped into an alcoholic.

Back at sea the time was spent mainly in ASWexercises. On the 1st February the SAR crew had a `live'exercise when a man fell overboard and was duly returnedsafely on board. Exercises continued to Hong Kong and still

The team spiritthe Squadron was in demand. Assistance was given to

shooting a sequence from a French film and a 3 ton generatorwas moved piecemeal from Kai Tak to White Cliffs to powera new ILS and `homing' aid. Naturally in Hong Kong enter-tainment had its places with a Squadron `run' at the ChinaFleet Club complete with a most amusing Chinese Cabaret.Later a Ferry-boat party complete with food, drink andmusic set a `must' precedent for Hong Kong visits.

Fotex in March proved both disappointing because ofthe small amount of A/S practice and tragic with the loss oftwo crew members and two aircraft on consecutive days. Asa result of this all Wessex flying was suspended until someessential modifications had been completed and the Squadronhad an usual spell of shore service at SEMBAWANG. Herethey proved that though bowed they were unbeaten.

Back on board for a fast passage home which just lefttime for some valuable A/S exercises in the MediterraneanIs it still . f riendly ?

with the LEONARDO DA VINCI. On the 24th May the Squadron disembarked to CULDROSE for moretraining and exercising in preparation for the second leg.

On the 24th August the Squadron was back on board and heading for the Far East once again. Thispassage was to have included a fairly lengthy anti-submarine exercise period in the Mediterranean but troublein Aden squeezed most of this out of the programme. It did leave time for an interesting if brief exercise withthe nuclear submarine U.S.S. HADDO and her conventional partner SEA ROBIN. At Aden the Squadron was ingreat demand to assist with internal security measures. This mainly involved whisking troops to trouble spots inand around Aden and the aircraft became targets for occasional brickbats though no hits were registered. TheSAR teams scored a notable triumph when the crew had to eject from a defective Buccaneer. Both were backon board before the plane hit the water. Another spell at Mombasa provided rest and pleasant recreation. Manyof the aircrew managed to get to Nairobi and some braved the heights of Kilimanjaro. Another shot enoughguinea fowl to provide the main course for a Squadron dinner. Back at Aden a more interesting taxi service wasrequired; flying F.A.C. teams to various places in the notorious Radfan area.

We dance too What ho ... the AEO

SQUADRON OFFICERS

ELECTRICAL & RADIO DIVISION

SUPPLY & SECRETARIAL,AIRCRAFT HANDLERS DIVISION

A. E. & O. DIVISION

800B FLIGHT

O®Ob

Back: LAM SHARP, NAM REED EMA TEASDALE, EMA BLUNN, LEM STENTIFORD, LREM WILLIAMS,REM COCHRANE, LAM ASKEW, LAM MERRY; 3rd: LAM MARSHALL, EMA SIM, LREM BIRD, LREMTILLEY, REM PORTER, NAM WATTS, NAM CASSON, NAM LEVITT, NAM HUGHES, NAM COLLING-WOOD, NAM HALL, NAM TOWERT; 2nd: LAM CAMP, EMA ELDRIDGE, AA2 HOLMES, EA2 O'BRIEN,POAF LAWSON, POAF LUCKETT, POAF ROBERTS, AA2 SANSOM, POAF BARRON, POAF CHAPMAN,POAF LANDER, A/POREL SAVAGE, A/POEL FRENCH; Front: CAF SCOTT, EA2 SIMS, ENG/SUB LT(AEO) DAYSH, LT (SP) WARING, LT CDR (CO) GRIER REES, LT McMANUS. (A/STAFF OFFICER, SHIPS

STAFF), LT SD (AV) WILSON, CEA SAYERS, AM1 PHILLIPs .

A. E. & O. DIVISIONBack: LAM KNIGHT, LAM EASTON, NAM LILLEY , NAM WRAXALL, NAM MASSEY, NAM LIFE, NAM BISHOP, NAM BAIN, NAM WILLIAMS.NAM TRIPP, NAM LOVALL, NAM MORRIS, LAM MALONEY, NAM BROUGH, LAM MOORSE, NAM STANDRING, NAM WHITE; Centre: NAMHUTCHINGS, LAM SAUNDERS, NAM BENHAM, LAM SMART, LAM HOLLEY, CAF HAKEN, AM1 BURRETT, AA2 CAREY, POAF TICKNER, POAFCAMERON, NAM JESSETT, LAM ARUNDELL, LAM HAGGARTY, NAM 0, REGAN, LAM DICKSON, NAM PRESTON; Front: POAF BERTRAM. AM2DE FELICE, AA1 HORTON, LT (0) WALSH, RN LT CDR SELLEY, RN LT (P) CLARKE, S/LT (P) POLAND. CAA JONES, AM2 WALDIE, AM1 DAVEY.POAF DOCKETT, CAF HAWTHORN.

SQUADRON OFFICERSBack: LT CJ CRAIG, LT AN WIGLEY, LT R HUGHES, LT J CLEMENTS, LT RJ FISHER, LT RE WARD. SUB LT A BOWER, SUB LT J POLAND; Centre:SUB LT M BURNETT, SUB LT G HOLMES, SUB LT PF DUNFORD, SUB LT B PALMER, LT KH RONALDSON, SUB LTD PEARSE, LT A SUGGITT,LT BE CLARKE; Front: LT ME PURSE, LT CL MacGREGOR, LT A WALSH, LT CDR M HARVEY, LT CDR DC SMITH, LT CDR C. SELLEY, LT CDRG THOMAS, LT A PEEBLES, LT M PRINGLE.

SUPPLY & SECRETARIAL, AIRCRAFT HANDLERS DIVISION

Back: L/WTR THOMAS, STWD POPHAM, STWD McGUFFIE, LAAH2 MOTH, LASE1 CURRAN, STWD CLIFFE, NAAH3 BROWN, STWD ANDERSON,NAAH3 KENNEDY; Centre: J/A/STWD READ, STWD HARDIMAN, STWD FRASER, NAAH3 TIMMINS, STWD HORWOOD, L/STWD RYAN LSA(S) HESLINGTON ; Front: STWD FARRALL, PO (A) AH1 FRICKER, LT (P) CRAIG, RN LT (P) HUGHES, RN J/NAAH3 McTAGGART.

ELECTRICAL & RADIO DIVISIONBack: LREM DUCKWORTH, LREM WILDMAN, A/LEM BUTTLE LEM TUCKWELL, EM (A) ARTHURS, LEM WHITE, EM (A) EDWARDS LEMPALLANT, EM (A) WATKINS, EM (A) SULLIVAN, REM CRANE, EM (A) BELL; Centre: LEM ANDERSON, LREM HARPER, LREM DAVIDSON,POREL LANEY POREL HELSBY, EL MECH STEVENSON, REA2 DAY, POEL CARD, EA2 COOLEDGE, REM HUNT, REM HOMEWOOD. REMWARREN ; Front: C REL NORMAN, REA2 BARNETT, REM MOORE, REA1 MEADOWS, CEA WOOD, LT (P) WIGLEY, RN LT CLEMENTS, RNSILT DUNFORD RN EA1 SHARP, POEL BARR, EA1 KENDALL, EL MECH HUDSON.

899 SQUADRON

THE Navy's most up-to-date carrier has the distinction of having amongst its complement of aircraft a squadron of the Navy'smost up-to-date all weather day and night fighters; 899, in fact, was the first Fleet Air Arm squadron to receive the Mk 2

Sea Vixen, with its much improved weapon system and fuel capacity.

Because we had already been in existence for a couple of years as Headquarters squadron, equipped with Vixen l's.the transition to front-line status was not marked by a formal commissioning ceremony with its attendant pomp and circum-stance, instead we made do with a church service held in a hangar on a particularly foul day. Those who were there will notforget the pre-service galloping back and forth between car-park and hangar which the shortage of umbrellas caused.

The problems surrounding our elevation to the front-line peerage were eased by the fact that many of the old H.Q.personnel had volunteered to stay with the squadron in its new form. There was available, therefore, a nucleus of both flyingand maintenance experience with which to get the show on the road. The previous C.O.'s, Lieutenant Commanders "Shorty"Hamilton and "Sandy" Sanderson might well be proud of the team they had bequeathed to the new boss, Commander Matthews.

Embarkation, as is traditionally the case, was organised chaos (Fleet Work Study Teams Numbers 1 -5 please note).However time was on our side as we were not called upon to do any flying until the ship reached Aden two and a half weekslater. Thereafter the first (short) leg of the commission went placidly enough: little incident, much hard work and a measureof socialising. Our tame Kiwi, Lieutenant Derral Barnes was never stuck for ideas with which to break the monotony. Hemasterminded almost all the banyans, brewery runs and socials which became features of our stops along the Aden, Mombasa.Singapore, Subic, Hong Kong bus route.

One piece of unrehearsed entertainment was the excellentattempt at a "Square-wheel" landing made by Lieutenant JohnEagle off Subic Bay. It didn't quite come off, but he made a verypretty bolter and landed safely at NAS Cubi Point with his mainwheels neatly shaved down almost to the axles. He was to be seen forsome time after this groping around the ship sporting dark glasses andan air of anonymity. His observer has never been the same man since.

At Hong Kong we had a squadron party; music providedby Her Majesty's Royal Marines and a cabaret. The talent and energydisplayed by some more senior members of the management afterdinner provided both entertainment and a reminder of the physicalstandards demanded of aircrew by present day jet aircraft.

We disembarked twice during this first leg, once each toTengah and Changi. Both times we 'sucked' into the air defence ofSingapore machine, and spent long periods sitting in a series of tentswaiting to be `scrambled'. On one occasion somebody was sent howlingoff into the dusk, but the suspicious contact turned out to be aMalaysian Airways Herald minding its own business. Easter cameand went unnoticed during the second of these spells of earnestinactivity. but disappointment at the lack of time off was partly madeup for by the knowledge that we had done all that was asked of us.

The first leg seemed to pass so quickly that before we couldget our ground equipment sorted out (another story) we were backat Yeovilton being asked "Weren't you supposed to be going awaysomewhere?" Soon incidents such as the D.A.E.O. marching briskly The Rip

backwards into the port catwalk were mere memories, and already a third of the squadron groundcrew, as well as several aircrewfounder-members, was on its way. Commander Matthews was relieved by Lieutenant Commander "Rip" Kirby (were we tolose influence?) the AEO by Griffin (from, of all places, R.A.F. Technical Training Command). It was at this time too that wewelcomed a genuine Air Force infiltrator McCluney, whom we are still navalising slowly but surely. A heavy CWP programme,an increase in aircraft complement from 12 to 15, the annual circus known euphemistically as Air Day, a few days leave, and webraced ourselves for the briny once again.

The second leg bears little comparison to the leisurely jaunt which went before, "Showpiece" and the O.R.I.notwithstanding. The squadron's unofficial motto became A.B.C. (its All Been Changed). Nothing seemed destined to goaccording to plan: Sailing date? ABC; Athens? ABC; Naples? ABC; Canal Date? ABC; Two weeks ashore at Changi? ABC;Hong Kong for Christmas? HYL (Haven't You Learnt?). In fact ABC soon became ABCD (All Bound to be Changed Daily).

Indeed Christmas found us almost on the other side of the world from Hong Kong, in our old haunt of Mombasa. Weowed this diversion to the Rhodesian crisis, which succeeded the Aden crisis as a magnet with which to draw carriers (yes therewas another one) to the Arabian Sea. This Rhodesian crisis put 899 very much in the limelight onboard, if not in the popularpress, where we were described as Eagle's "other aircraft." For several days we were at short notice to fly into Zambia en bloc,although at the time few people were allowed to know why twelve Vixens were ranged, fuelled, armed and loaded to burstingpoint with stores. Perhaps others guessed what was in the wind when they saw aircrew members packing grips and drawingjungle-greens. We were eventually stood down because 29 Squadron (Javelins) R.A.F. obtained the diplomatic clearance theyneeded to do the job. Before the switch the A.E.O. was seen gyrating round the ship enveloped in a mental fog.

One result of the rather abortive period was the unfortunate disruption of the second changeover schedule. Good-natured ribbing turned into genuine sympathy for the unfortunate third of the squadron groundcrew involved as farewell partysucceeded farewell party, and first Butterworth. next Gan and finally Mombasa faded over the horizon. It was now that eventhe stock joke of the first leg, "above all keep a sense of humour", became a bit strained, especially as one was unable to keepthe folks at home in the (somewhat confused) picture. The reliefs caught us up in Aden however, after an equally wild chaseacross the Indian Ocean, and the homeward-bounders were at last released.

One of the greatest obstacles in front-line squadron life is the problem of bridging the inevitable mental gulf that existsbetween aircrew and groundcrew. Perhaps it is the rigid demarcation of responsibility that makes it difficult for the two sectionsof the squadron community to make contact certainly the continual changing of personnel that goes on doesn't help. Whatever

That makes it `500'

the cause, the effect is to be regretted, because the lives of the aircrew depend so entirely on the standards of the groundcrewwhilst the end-product of all that groundcrew sweated labour is success achieved in the air by the pilots and observers. For thisreason it meant a lot to everybody when the whole squadron, from the C.O. downwards turned out to smarten up the aircraftbefore the ship entered Mombasa. Aircrew costume on this occasion had to be seen to be believed, and the very fact of themsweating it out and sharing a limers bucket with the serfs generated a reservoir of good humour which will take some time todissipate. In Mombasa a joint officers/senior ratings P.U. held at the Manor Hotel was unanimously voted the best of its kindfor a long time by those who could remember any details of it afterwards. It was rumoured at the time that the old man ofthe squadron, a certain Chief Air Fitter (of course) was the last to return on board, but be that as it may, relations betweenair and ground members were certainly cemented as a result of this marathon. Another affair was the carol service at Christmastime. We even had a Christmas tree to sing around, our old friend 134, suitably and tastefully decorated for the occasion.

One remembers with a variety of emotions some of the more colourful characters who have served in 899 duringthe commission. Perhaps a cartoonist could best capture for posterity the personalities of the Chin. Dusty the Egg, CurlyPlatts, Pat O'Brien, John D, John Eagle. Rip Kirby, Ron Whiting, Mr. Bumble, Ginger Shaw and a host of others. It is not.of course. true, despite a recurrent buzz, that there is a special wing at Netley for ex-899-ers, but we certainly have one ortwo takers for both Reg. Chief and Librarian there.

Perhaps one of the strongest elements in the squadron has been our first-class bunch of killicks. Their steady andsensible attitude to the job has been invaluable as an example to the many very young and inexperienced ratings whose firstship and first squadron this is. When one considers their prospects of advancement. these leading hands, most of whom couldhardly be called "lads" any more, have been a tower of strength.

As we go to press the third changeover is almost upon us. Thus there will have been a complete change of personnelby the time we return to U.K. except for a few a very few, head-cases who have elected to recommission the squadron. Thestory is far from finished, and with the state of the world as it is today what is yet to come may well overshadow what hasbeen. We can but hope that whatever lies ahead of us will be dealt with in the usual 899 style, with verve and elan, and theinevitable sigh of "It's all happening, me old."

1st: LT CDR KIRBY; 2nd: LT CDR HOLLEY, LT CDR GRIFFIN, LT BAILEY, LT CDR McQUEEN; 3rd: LT MORRIS, LT COMBER. LT ALDRED.SUB LT MUNRO, FLT LT McCLUNEY, LT WOODFORD, LT PLUMTREE, LT DUNLOP, LT CHILD, LT SHEARING, LT KINCH, SUB LT KENDALL;4th: SUB LT BROCK, SUB LT HARRIS, LT ARGYLE, LT HICKLING, SUB LT PARKER, LT PERRYMAN, LT SPEAR, SUB LT PARRETT, SUB LTJAGO, LT PINNEY, SUB LT BROADWATER, SUB LT FLETCHER; 5/h: POAF O'CONNOR, POAF LANHAM, POAF GOODMAN, POAF WELLING-TON, POEL CULL, CAF CLEGHORN, POAF TOVEY, AM1 FLOWERS AA1 VELLA, CAF GILLARD, CREA LLEWELLYN, AM1 DUNN, AA1 BUTLEREA1 HOVER, AA2 HARPER, POEL LOWTHER, CAM STAMFORD, CELM ROGERS, CEL LACH-SZYRMA, AM1 DAVIS, REA2 BLAND, REA2DOMINY, AA1 CARTWRIGHT, POEL ROBB, REA2 AKAM, AA1 NEWMAN, CA PEMBERTON; 6th: AA2 WILLIAMS, POAF MAIL, POAF BEATTY,REA2 MARKE, AA1 O'BRIEN, AM2 STANLEY, CEA WELLER. POEL DODSON EA1 NEWNHAM, REA2 SHELFER, RELM1 WATKINS, POEL..FITCHETT, POEL O'SULLIVAN, POSTD COPELAND, EA1 WELLS, POAF RUSHWORTH, EA2 WAIN, EA1 PAYNE, RELM2 HEAD, CAA ROSE.AA2 SILVERSON, AM1 BROOKS, AA1 CHURCHILL, CAF HUGHES, AA1 JERRAM; 7th: POAF REFFOLD, AA2 WAREHAM, POAF ROLFE, POAFBULL, EA2 ARTHUR, AA2 GUNN, CAF GEORGE, AA2 SWORD, REA2 DOWNS, AN OTHER, POREL SIMMONDS, REM2 VERHOEST, POAFTHOMAS, ELM3 GERRARD, EA2 WORNELL, POREL BOYES, POREL ASHLEY, RELM3 COOMBES, REA2 JOHNSON, POAF BLAGG, ELM 3MADDOCK, EA2 KIMBER, REA2 DUNLEAVY, EA2 BAKER, CAF COUSINS; 8th: NAM SMEETON, LAM HARRIS, NAM SKIPPER, NAM LOWERY.LREM BURT, STD PATTERNOTTE, STD BURTON, CK SLENDER, CK COLES, CK DOYLE, STD BENVILLE, STD MacLAREN, L/STD STUART, STDTOLHURST, STD HUTTON, CK PAYNE. STD NEALE, STD WOOD, L/WTR COOMBES, LAM SMILLIE, NAM WALKER, REM KRELLE, NAMOGILVIE, NAM JACKSON; 9th: LA DAVIES, NAM MOORE, NAM MORGAN, NAM STAVELY, NAM MILNER, NAM PRITCHARD, NAM HODGES.LAM PLATTS, NA PEARTON, NA YOUNG, NAM FERGUSON, LAM REED, LREM BURNS, LEM HOLLYWELL, NAM LONGLEY, LAM PLEAVIN.LAM WEBSTER, NAM GRANGE. EMA WYNN, NAM POYNTER, LAM MORETON, NAM WHITE, REM FINNIGAN, LAM WEBB, LAM HARVEY,LAM HATCHER; 10th: LA GORGE, LAM TRICKER, NAM HARRISON, NAM LEARY, NAM MURTAPH, LAM BAILEY, LAM SMITH, LAM SHARPE,NAM SHAW, LAM EVANS, STD McTAGUE, LAM DEMPSTER, NAM BRISTOW, NAM BARANSKI, LEM RICE, REM MARTIN, NAM MORTON, ANOTHER, NAM PEARN, REM BIRD, NAM KINGSLEY, REM BAILEY; 11th: NAM WILLS, REM NEWLAND, EMA CAMERON, NA SINCLAIR, NAMBARKER, LAM ROBINSON, LAM SMITHERS, NAM ROBERTS, EMA WITT, REM MOOREHEAD, LREM MacDONALD, AN OTHER, AN OTHER,LEM CADDEL, NAM BURKE, LAM HILL, LAM DOOLEY. EMA GRAY, NAM HUGHES, AN OTHER, EMA WESTRAY; 12th: NAM ROBERTSON.NAM BROWN, LEM HIGHAM, NA VINTEN, NA HADFIFLD, NAM SALT, REM HOLDEN, REM WILLS, NA BOURN, LSA BRAY, EMA WELLINGTON.EMA CALDWELL, NAM FIELD, LAM BURKE, LAM GILBERT, LAM KELLY, NAM GORE, EMA GIBSON, REM BLACKMAN, REM WILLIS, LAMFRISBY, LAM BRUTON; 13th: NAM WILCOCK, REM HAMLIN. NAM PARSONS, LAM HOWLETT, LAM BUCKLAND. LAM WEBB.

DONT forget the diver! If you had it might have beena very different commission.

It started quietly enough. While the ship did hertimed run over the measured mile at Arran we had ourown run at Brodick Bay. Amongst the trophys was al arge lobster which found its way to the Captain's tableand therefore gave the EDT `one blast in hand'. Beforereturning to the ship, Spraggy (Lieut. Cdr. Spragg to theuninitiated) accused each in turn of stealing his gym shoes-they had not been seen for48 hours! They were found-underneath those twocrabby undersuits he woreand right where some foolhad left them - on his feet.

Funny noises aft dis-turbed the southward tripfrom Guzz. Inspection atGibraltar revealed that`shook up' cone plates hadcome adrift and were busilycutting threads on the outershafts. The job of removingthem provided useful ex-perience with the `Seafire'

To the depths

Down

Diving

under-water cutting torch.Exciting moments were alsoprovided refitting the waistcatapult venturi nozzle.A little anxiety arose herewhen two divers ceasedto breath from the airpanel. With the smooth wellorganised chaos of `splashthe standby diver', Lieut.Millican entered the waterwith no nose clip and onefin round his left knee, tobe informed by a surfacingdiver that they were mana-ging nicely on the exhaustfrom the pneumatic gun! ! !

With the second Leg came Lieut. Dalrymple-Smith to ramrodthe outfit. Arrival at Malta brought a little welding job on the

port rudder. Singapore saw the same problem repeated. Thistime the offending plate was removed for special treatment.

Immediately of course came the M.E. crisis and we scrambled itall back in 48 hours. The job has now become practically routine.

There have been lighter moments of course such as when` Shiner' tried a running take-off from the flight deck but stalledand ended none to gracefully amongst the discharge alongside.` Ackers' surpassed this next day by using his head as a fenderwhen bringing the launch alongside. Last but not least there hasalways been `operation awkward' to provide a little fun.